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Natalie R. Colao

Associate

P. 303.244.1818 | F. 303.244.1879
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Education

  • Vermont Law School
    J.D., 2017, magna cum laude, Editor, Vermont Law Review
  • Hunter College Graduate School of Education
    M.A., 2013, Anthropology
  • Fordham University
    B.A., 2010, Anthropology

Government Service

Law Clerk to the Hon. Morton I. Greenberg, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Law Clerk to the Hon. Michael A. Shipp, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey 

Law Clerk to the Hon. Richard S. Hoffman, New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division

Legal Intern, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2, Office of Regional Counsel, New York Superfund Branch

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Colorado
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, D. Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, D. New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court, N.D. New York
  • U.S. District Court, S.D. New York

Biography

Natalie Colao represents clients in complex civil litigation. She has significant experience defending major companies in high-stakes product liability and employment litigation. She has represented clients in industries including manufacturing, shipping, pharmaceutical, and healthcare.

Prior to joining WTO, Natalie worked as a litigation associate in a full-service law firm with offices in New York and New Jersey. She also served federal clerkships in the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, as well as a state clerkship in the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. While in law school, Natalie held a legal internship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Cases

  • Obtained decertification of an FLSA conditional collective that had been certified before WTO took over the case. After the decertification decision was issued, lawyers for the plaintiffs conceded that another pending nationwide case—which WTO also is defending—should be decertified as well.
  • Won summary judgment in arbitration for an international shipping company in an employment dispute.
  • Defeated conditional certification of an FLSA and state law putative collective action in federal court in Ohio for an international shipping company.
  • Secured a significant settlement in federal court for a pro bono client who asserted claims for civil rights violations against the Weld County Sheriff's Office in Colorado.
  • Won an eight-day arbitration for a Fortune 50 company against a former supplier that brought discrimination and breach of contract claims and sought more than $10 million in damages.
  • Won an appeal in the 10th Circuit for two mortgage brokers in a noncompete case against a leading financial institution, affirming a district court's prior denial of preliminary injunction. The plaintiffs had alleged that their former employees—WTO's clients—had breached noncompete and trade secret agreements when they left the company.
  • Represented a healthcare organization against negligence claims and a mass tort involving medical devices.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical company in multidistrict litigation involving allegedly adulterated drugs, resulting in stipulated dismissal.
  • Represented a financial technology company during a contract dispute.
  • Assisted a medical marijuana alternative treatment center to defend against orders to show cause related to its agricultural operations.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

    Articles

  • Co-Author, "Appellate Division Develops Factors Regarding Remote Testimony at Trial," New Jersey Law Journal – E-Discovery & Complex L. Supp. , (April 13, 2020).

Press

Other Experience

Sills Cummis & Gross, P.C.
Litigation Associate

Legal Memberships, Activities, and Honors

Colorado Intellectual Property American Inn of Court

Community Memberships, Activities, and Honors

Food & Agriculture Alumni Mentor, Fordham University

Personal Interests

Marathons, triathlons, 14-ers, and animal rights.

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